Hoodlums attack Churches during crossover night service in Ilorin

No fewer than 50 hoodlums, on Monday morning, disrupted the Cross Over service of some churches around Taiwo Isale area of Ilorin causing worshipers to run for dear lives.

An eyewitness who did not want his name in prints pointed accusing finger on Muslim youth in the area.
According to him, “Muslims attached our churches during Cross Over this morning. Many were injured, church auditoriums, and cars were destroyed, while many innocent girls were raped. The churches included: St Joseph Catholic Cathedral, Methodist Cathedral, CAC and UMCA Hausa Churches.”

Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Police Command through a press statement signed by the Police Spokesperson Ajayi Okadanmi and copy made availble to newsmen, urged mischief-makers to stay clear of the state or face the wrath of law as hoodlums attacked worshippers in Taiwo Isale Ilorin leaving several persons injured properties destroyed, and ten suspected hoodlums arrested.

Okansanmi stated that “We wish to assure the good people of Kwara state, of its capacity to deal decisively with any body arrested, for being a part of the breakdown of law and order that was witnessed in Taiwo Isale area of Ilorin, by hoodlums early this morning, in spite the peace and harmony being enjoyed in the state before, during the yuletide and even now.”

He disclosed that “At about 02:00am of Monday, some youths that were prevented from carrying out what was termed New year carnival by the community leaders of the area for fear of the process turning into a security threat, owing to previous years experiences.

“In protest to the denial, the youths resorted into throwing bangers indiscriminately at all gatherings in the vicinity including religious gatherings celebrating the new year cross -over services, three (3) persons were injured in the resulting stampede, both the Catholic, Methodist and other churches in the area,including a Muslim group called Quareeb team, holding their programme in an adjoining school were attacked, some vehicles belonging to both worshippers were damaged.

It is important to note, that the attack has no religious undertone. It is simple an unlawful act by the disgruntled youths of the area, as both the Christian and Muslim gatherings in the area were attacked.
The PPRO said “Ten (10) suspects have been arrested, the injured already taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment. Investigation into the matter has commenced.

Okasanmi further said that the “Good people of Kwara are admonished to continue with their lawful endeavours and disregard the insinuation that the crisis was between the Muslim and Christian, as Kwara state is known for her harmonious relationship among all religious group”, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, has condemned the midnight attack on worshippers on the eve of the New Year on Ibrahim Taiwo Road in Ilorin.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some churches on Ibrahim Taiwo Road were attacked by some yet-to-be-identified persons in the early hours of Monday during the New Year service.

The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, described the dastardly attack as criminal, satanic and alien to the state.

Mr. Ahmed, however, commended those who made efforts to protect some of the victims regardless of their religious inclination.

He, therefore, called on security agencies to immediately launch an investigation into the incident and unravel the perpetrators of the unholy act with a view to bringing them to book.

“Peace is the sine qua non for the development of any society and the government will not tolerate any act capable of breaching peace, unity and tranquility of the state,” he said.

The governor called on the people of the state to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and harmonious relationship for sustenance growth and economic development in the state.

Mr. Ahmed also called on parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards with a view to curtailing their likely excesses.

The Speaker of Kwara House of Assembly, Ali Ahmad, has also condemned the attacks.

The Speaker, in a statement jointly signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Shuaib Abdulkadir, and the Chief Press Secretary to the State House of Assembly, AbdulRahman Sanni, expressed disgust over the attacks.

Mr. Ahmad, however, called for calm, adding that the attack was not religiously motivated, but believed to have been carried out by some hoodlums.

“They must be brought to book to serve as the deterrent to others.

“Peace is the pivot of socio-economic transformation of any society and one of the indices of development,” he said.

He commended the Police Commissioner, Ado Lawan, for police prompt intervention which brought the situation under control.

The speaker called for an investigation into the incident with a view to apprehending those behind the attacks on the innocent worshippers.

He urged the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade, to ensure that those arrested were prosecuted.

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